Presenter: Prof. Boguslaw Marek Ph.D. OBE

Hungry Fingers /
Head of Department of ELT Typhlomethodology
Catholic University of Lublin, Poland

Abstract:

Tactile graphics, as well as flat shapes made of different materials used in tactile books and adaptations of drawings, maps, graphs etc. involve two-dimensional conventions which are not always obvious to a child born blind.

And yet, meaningful contact with tactile graphics will only be successful if it is supported by good understanding of the relation between objects and drawings, and of the different ways of representing configurations of objects. of perspective, symmetry, rotation, etc. – all of them important for the child’s independence skills and later performance at school.

The aim of the workshop is to:

• help parents and teachers get a better understanding of the complexity of tactile graphics
• introduce the basic principles of designing tactile graphics
• help parents and teachers engage children in interesting activities which facilitate understanding of tactile graphics and of concepts based on visual experience
• demonstrate and give hands-on experience with a range of educational tools for explaining the relation between objects and drawings, perspective, symmetry, rotation and other concepts

Outcomes for Audience:

• better understanding of problems connected with interpretation of tactile graphics by totally blind users
• knowledge of and ability to use tools for explaining concepts based on spatial relations a related to tactile graphics as represented in Tactile graphics
• knowledge of games and activities facilitating understanding of tactile graphics
• knowledge of basic principles of designing tactile graphics
  

Prior knowledge of topic assumed: Low
Contains advanced technical content: No

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